THE GOSPEL HID

If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost  2 Cor 4:3-4.

Each week for the last about 40 years that I know of in Redcar Gospel Hall, the gospel has been preached on a Sunday evening. Only a handful of people have turned to the Lord as a result of that preaching, and the vast majority who have heard the message seem to have ignored it.

Those who have not become Christians are  described here as being “lost” (or “perishing”). They are spiritually dead (Eph_2:1), heading toward an everlasting death (Rev_20:13-15), taking a path of self-direction  (Isa_53:6).  Thankfully we can tell of the Son of Man who came to seek and to save those that are lost (Luk 19:19).

The reason that some are lost is not because of the quality of  the preaching but rather because  "the god of this world", (or "age") i.e. Satan.,  wants to keep perishing people in spiritual blindness. This counterfeit god works in all unbelievers (even as he formerly did with us) (Eph_2:2). His influence is in every world system (political, economic, educational, etc.) within the unbelieving world. John writes: "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 Jo_5:19). The primary purpose of Satan's blinding activities is to keep those in darkness from seeing God's light: "Lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." 2 Cor 4:4.

Men cannot help being blinded by Satan, but on the other hand they have no excuse for remaining in the dark, since the light is shining and they are responsible to turn to it. If the Message is obscure to anyone, it's because such people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention.